Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the resistance levels of strains of Candida albicans to the antifungals commonly used in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. This is a prospective study that was carried out from July to October 2017 at the mycology laboratory of the Institut Pasteur of Cote d’Ivoire. 105 Candida isolates, obtained from swabs taken from patients receiving out-patient treatment, were seeded on chromogenic medium. Identification of Candida species was carried out by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (Vitek MS bioMérieux). The susceptibility of C. albicans strains to 5-fluorocytosine, amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole was evaluated using the microdilution technique in a semi-solid medium to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration with the ATB1 Fungus 3 kit. Out of 105 Candida strains, 68 (64.8%), including C. albicans, were identified on the chromogenic medium and confirmed by MALDI-TOF spectrometry. These C. albicans strains exhibited varying levels of resistance to the antifungals tested: 1.5% for 5-fluorocytosine, 26.3% for fluconazole, 39.7% for itraconazole, 27.9% for voriconazole. No resistance to amphotericin B was observed. C. albicans strains taken from ear pus swabs exhibited greater resistance (P = 0.0113). C. albicans is developing increasing resistance to common antifungals, hence the need for regular surveillance in resource-poor countries. Key words: Candidiasis, Candida albicans, resistance, mycosis, antifungual drug.
Highlights
Candida albicans is a yeast that forms part of the commensal flora of healthy individuals
C. albicans strains taken from ear pus swabs exhibited greater resistance (P = 0.0113)
The aim of this study was to determine the resistance profile of C. albicans strains isolated in Abidjan
Summary
Candida albicans is a yeast that forms part of the commensal flora of healthy individuals. When the host-parasite equilibrium is disrupted, the yeast becomes opportunistic and colonises the skin and mucous surfaces in humans and many animal species In humans, this yeast poses a serious health threat, especially in patients with immune deficiency or undergoing immunosuppressive therapies. Disseminated (septicaemic mycosis) infections (Badillet et al, 1987).Traditional identification requires yeasts to be grown in biochemical test galleries or on chromogenic media and necessitates an incubation period of between 24 and 72 h (Bernal et al, 1996) Unlike these so-called classical methods, matrixassisted laser desorption ionization- time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry directly analyses the various bacterial macromolecules, especially proteins, and yields results more quickly (Lindsay et al, 2010). It meets the need for precise, rapid diagnosis to deal more effectively with candidiasis
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